14
¶ And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen,
and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored
him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech
said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. 16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given
thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of
the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God
healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
18 For the LORD had fast closed up all
the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.
The graciousness of a heathen king should cause many
so-called Christian leaders shame. He not only did what God told him to do,
restoring Sarah, but he made Abraham even wealthier than he was. Not only did
he offer Abraham material wealth but he gave him the right to live in his
kingdom wherever he wished.
Abimelech then scolds Sarah, calling Abraham her
brother, as she and Abraham had dissembled regarding. He has rewarded Abraham
and tells Sarah, in so many words, to stay faithful to Abraham, her husband, to
not risk other men’s intentions toward her. She is never to call Abraham her
brother again. Both have been reproved in this. Reproof, from which reprove
comes, is correction. See the synonyms to reproof in this verse and do a word
search to see the phrases and words it is linked with elsewhere to confirm.
2Timothy
3:16 All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Remember, as you read Abraham’s journey, that the
Bible is the story of God’s work in reconciling man to Himself. Reproof is an
essential part of that correction, that instruction in righteousness, and
fundamental to that doctrine.
It is important to note here that Abraham prayed for
Abimelech, whom he had wronged. Prayers of supplication for others are important,
as God reveals throughout the Bible. Christians are commanded to pray for each
other.
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
We are to pray for kings and all those in authority.
As there were no Christian kings when this was written we are called to pray
for the heathen leaders, that they come to Christ but for mercy and grace to be
applied to them, as well.
1Timothy
2:1 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of
all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for
all men; 2 For kings, and for all that
are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty. 3 For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth.
We are to pray even for those who abuse us for our
faith. Notice the context of God’s perfection here.
Matthew
5:43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been
said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what
reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do
ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.
God honored Abraham’s prayer and healed Abimelech’s
household.
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